A video game or holotape game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a device such as on terminal, Pip-Boy, or console.[1][2]
Background[edit]
Holotape games are a type of entertainment, utilized both before and after the Great War. They could be played on Pip-Boys or on terminals, and were included in magazines such as RobCo Fun as a promotion. Several entities developed holotape games, including Planned Diversion Programming, Vault-Tec Game Studios and Hubris Comics. Types of games ranged from interactive variants such as Atomic Command to text adventures like Grognak & the Ruby Ruins. Users could save their progress in games, although saves could be lost, forcing players to restart.[3]
The capacity to play games were part of marketing used for terminal sales, advertised by companies such as RobCo as the "future of gaming" featuring "upgraded processors and cutting-edge graphics."[4][5] Apricot-brand terminals had the capability to run 3D multiplayer games.[6]
A recreation terminal was provided for those working in Vault 111, where a top 10 leaderboard was kept. The overseer included a memo reminding users that the recreational terminal was a privilege and that if work performance declined, access would be revoked.[7]
Holotape games[edit]
| Name | Description | Appearances | Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic Command | Defend eight cities from nuclear bombardment by firing missiles at incoming warheads. | Fallout 4, Fallout 76 | Planned Diversion Programming |
| Automatron | Destroy evil robots. | Fallout 4, Fallout 76 | Planned Diversion Programming |
 Captain Cosmos in "Jangles' Big Day"
|
Unknown | Fallout 4, Fallout 76 | - |
| Fallout 2 | A 3D multiplayer game played on Apricot-brand terminals.[6] | Fallout 2 | - |
| Grognak & The Ruby Ruins | Grognak the Barbarian and his party embark to vanquish the evil warlord Grelok from the realm. | Fallout 4, Fallout 76 | Hubris Comics Game Studio |
| Nuka Tapper | Serve bottles of Nuka-Cola down four bar lanes to various customers as customers become more frequent. | Fallout 76 | - |
| Pipfall | Find five Vault-Tec bobbleheads scattered throughout the wasteland while avoiding obstacles. | Fallout 4, Fallout 76 | Vault-Tec Game Studios |
| Red Menace | Rescue Vault Girl from the Red Menace by dodging barrels and atom bombs. | Fallout 4, Fallout 76 | Vault-Tec Game Studios |
| Reign of Grelok | A text-based fantasy featuring Grognak and his attempt to best the evil warlord Grelok. | Fallout 3 | Hubris Software |
| Wastelad | Wastelad, emerging from Vault 1, must journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland to stamp out Chairman Cheng. | Fallout 76 | Hubris Comics Game Studio |
| Zeta Invaders | Destroy a grid of invading alien targets while defending four buildings, and any cattle within the crossfire with a roving tank. | Fallout 4, Fallout 76 | - |
By Type[edit]
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Notes[edit]
- Cleo mentions Rufus' video games when speaking to the Vault Dweller.[8]
- Samuel mentions losing his Nuka Tapper saves.[9]
- Sofia Daguerre mentions playing holotape games and says they are soothing to play.[10] She talks about adapting and modifying consoles to play holotape games.[11][12]
- The Rust Devils kept an ongoing Automatron leaderboard.[13][14]
Appearances[edit]
Video games are mentioned or appear in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout 4 and Fallout 76.
References[edit]
- ↑ Vault Dweller: "How's the holotape game, Sofia?"
Sofia Daguerre: "It's been soothing to play games again -- a few moments of normalcy once more. I think it even helps my headache a bit."
(Sofia Daguerre's dialogue) - ↑ Old Man McGee: You must be one of those pre-war video game consoles.
(NcCasPat.msg) - ↑ Samuel: "Can't believe I lost my Nuka Tapper saves, ugh."
(Samuel (Wastelanders)/Dialogue) - ↑ RobCo Sales & Service Center Terminal Entries; RobCo Sales & Service Center terminal, Calvin Crenshaw
- ↑ RobCo Sales & Service Center Terminal Entries; RobCo RX-9000 terminal: "ROBCO Model RX-9000 Terminal System: The future of gaming has arrived! Impress your friends with the new ROBCO RX-9000. This terminal features an upgraded processor and cutting-edge graphics unlike any other terminal on the market. Please see a sales associate for a compatible game demo holotape."
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 DataPlex 2000 SmarTerminal: "This terminal seems to be an Apricot-brand terminal. It's running something called Fallout 2. Wow, it looks like it's multiplayer and 3D."
(DataPlex 2000 SmarTerminal interactions) - ↑ Vault 111 Terminal Entries; Recreation terminal, OVERSEER MEMO
- ↑ Vault Dweller: "Yeah, I had a friend."
Cleo: "Sorry I can't be more useful. Oh, and then there's the rumor about the ship from outer space. I think someone's been playing around with too many of Rufus's stupid games."
(CLEO.MSG) - ↑ Samuel: "Can't believe I lost my Nuka Tapper saves, ugh."
(Samuel's dialogue) - ↑ Sofia Daguerre: "It's been soothing to play games again -- a few moments of normalcy once more. I think it even helps my headache a bit."
(Sofia Daguerre's dialogue) - ↑ Sofia Daguerre: "I know this sounds odd but... not much has changed for me. Not many new consoles have been invented since... uh... my time, I guess. The scanner upgrade has helped to compensate for the degradation that has occurred in the past years... I'm trying to modify it so I can use it for other stuff too. Maybe hijack the scanner so I can run a holotape game... oh that would be good."
(Sofia Daguerre's dialogue) - ↑ Sofia Daguerre: "That's... unexpectedly thoughtful of you. I was just thinking about an old holotape game that I used to play, but they won't work in this console. Maybe I could adapt it though... so, if you run across one later can you let me know?"
(Sofia Daguerre's dialogue) - ↑ Fort Hagen hangar terminal entries; Rust Devil Gaming Terminal; FROM IVEY ---> READ THIS!!!!
- ↑ Fort Hagen hangar terminal entries; Rust Devil Gaming Terminal; SCORZ